Kaiser Sustainability Proposal Funded by AMP

Congratulations to Dr. Michelle Kaiser whose proposal, “Cultivating Stewardship: Sustainable Land and Resource Management for Franklinton Farms,” was accepted by Ohio State’s Agroecosystem Management Program (AMP).  Kaiser’s project will help advance AMP’s mission to improve agroecosystems and their impact on society, the economy and the environment through applied, community-based ecological stewardship. It strengthens the ecological, operational and social resilience of a community-rooted non-profit urban farm that serves a historically marginalized neighborhood.

By developing a land and equipment management and maintenance plan grounded in agroecological principles, the project will enhance understanding of how resource flows, material cycles and land-use patterns affect the sustainability and productivity of a unique scattered site urban farm system. As part of the program, an undergraduate intern will work with Kaiser and Franklinton Farms for approximately 380 hours from spring to fall 2026.  The intern will inventory and analyze tools, infrastructure, and site characteristics to identify opportunities for improved soil health, reduced plastic use, and lower carbon footprint, which are key components of resilient, biodiverse, and regenerative agroecosystems.

Kaiser’s project will also deepen connections across diverse groups such as community members, farm staff (i.e., administrative, finance, farm production, programs), a student, and at least one faculty researcher. It embodies AMP’s commitment to bridging differences and valuing both scientific and experiential knowledge by integrating community wisdom with systems-oriented analysis. The project may also strengthen collaboration between the university and an urban neighborhood facing ecological and social inequities, building capacity for long-term stewardship and agroecological learning.

The work contributes to AMP’s vision of food systems that are just, equitable, sustainable, and resilient, demonstrating how applied, collaborative management can improve ecological function and community well-being in urban farming contexts.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with a student in partnership with Franklinton Farms,” says Kaiser. “Together, we will contribute to AMP’s vision of food systems that are just, equitable, sustainable, and resilient, demonstrating how applied, collaborative management can improve ecological function and community well-being in urban farming contexts.”